HOUSTON – Ryan Fitzpatrick is a bearded Harvard man who played four NFL seasons in Buffalo. But the new quarterback of the Houston Texans wasn't shocked by the hot, humid weather as the team held its first training camp practice Saturday.

"I grew up in Arizona, the dry heat, but 115 (in Arizona) is hot, too," said the 10th year pro, who is from Gilbert, Ariz.

The average daily high temperature in Houston in July is 94. A high of 94 was forecast Saturday. The Texans started practice at 8 a.m. and worked 2 ½ hours.

"It's a different deal, but we're out here practicing and working hard just like everybody else is. There are plenty of other teams that are working in the same heat," said Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick was a starter in Buffalo from 2009-2012 before being released. Last season, he made nine starts with the Tennessee Titans and threw 14 touchdown passes with 10 interceptions.

But he's starting anew with the Texans, who signed him in March after he was released by Tennessee.

Fitzpatrick was designated as the Houston starter before mini-camp by new Texans Coach Bill O'Brien. Other quarterbacks in camp include rookie Tom Savage, a fourth-round draft pick from Pitt, and second-year pro Case Keenum.

One immediate challenge for Fitzpatrick is to get acquainted with veteran receiver Andre Johnson, who bypassed the team's offseason but reported Friday with the rest of the vets.

"He's a true pro. I think everybody here knows that, and I always admired him from afar," said Fitzpatrick.

"Heard a lot about his work ethic and the way he attacks everything, and it was nice to sit back and throw to him a little today. There's a lot of work not only with him but with everybody in terms of getting everybody on the same page.''

During the offseason, Johnson said he was uncertain about the team's direction. There was speculation that he was upset the Texans had used their No. 1 draft pick on linebacker Jadeveon Clowney instead of a quarterback.

Did that bother Fitzpatrick?

"Not at all," said Fitzpatrick. " … I didn't put a lot of thought into that hoping that eventually stuff was going to work its way out, and I'm glad to see him here."

Fitzpatrick's take on the first practice: "We had too many assignment errors. We had too many mistakes. It showed up in the early (offseason) too, just guys getting back into it. But I think tomorrow will be a bid day and the next day. … We've got our base level now but we've got to continue to get better every day."